Quick Answer
Clue: “Pair on a bicycle”
Answer: TIRES
Answer length: 5 letters
Clue number and direction: 4-Down
The New York Times crossword clue “Pair on a bicycle” is answered with TIRES, referring to the two rubber tires on a standard bike.
Why TIRES Is the Right NYT Answer
- typical bicycle has two tires, one on the front wheel and one on the rear, making TIRES a literal “pair on a bicycle.”
- NYT Mini answer recaps and solver tools for the January 28, 2026 puzzle confirm TIRES as the exact 5-letter fill at 4-Down.
- While other parts also come in pairs (like PEDALS), in this particular NYT Mini and length pattern, helper sites explicitly tag TIRES as the correct solution.
What TIRES Means in Plain English
- Tires are the rubber coverings that fit around a vehicle’s wheels, providing traction, cushioning, and a contact surface with the road.
- On a bike, the pair of tires—front and rear—are crucial for grip, comfort, and safety when riding.
- In everyday language, “new tires” for a bike or car almost always means replacing this rubber component, not the entire wheel.
Crossword-Specific Help for TIRES
- In the grid, TIRES appears as T I R E S; with crossings, you might first see patterns like T_RES, TI_ES, or _IRES, all of which point quickly to TIRES when the clue mentions a bicycle pair.
- Crossword databases show TIRES used frequently for clues like “They go flat,” “Bicycle pair,” “Auto shop purchase,” and “Things that can be rotated.”
- Because TIRES is a very common plural noun with friendly letters, it’s a staple fill in many daily crosswords, NYT included.
Solving Tips for Similar NYT Clues
- For clues like “Bicycle pair,” “Car pair that can go flat,” “Rotatable pair,” consider TIRES whenever you have a 5-letter slot.
- Be cautious with PEDALS: some non-NYT puzzles use PEDALS for “Pair on a bicycle,” but in this NYT Mini, the confirmed 5-letter answer is TIRES. Crossings will help you choose.
If you see _IRES with a clue about vehicles, flats, or rotations, TIRES is usually the right move.
More NYT Mini Crossword Answers for January 28, 2026
| Clue | Answer | |
| 1A | Remove from a position of power | View Answer |
| 5A | Not cool | View Answer |
| 7A | “Fine, see if ___!” | View Answer |
| 8A | Kind of bored | View Answer |
| 9A | Primatologists’ subjects: | View Answer |
| 1D | Kind of board | View Answer |
| 2D | Prepare to use, as a pen | View Answer |
| 3D | Desirable place to sit on a hot day | View Answer |
| 4D | Pair on a bicycle | View Answer |
| 6D | __ XING (street sign) | View Answer |
